A former chief operating officer of Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s subsidiary company is a free man after the prosecution withdrew its application for an appeal against his acquittal.
High Court judge Justice Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Diah granted the application for Datuk Ibrahim Nasir, who was charged with two counts of bribery.
On April 1, 2008, the prosecution filed an appeal against a Sessions Court decision on March 27 that year which acquitted and discharged Ibrahim, 63, without calling for his defence.
Ibrahim had been charged with dishonestly accepting a bribe of three return air tickets to London totalling RM37,806.
The three tickets were said to have been accepted from Putrajaya Bumi Holding Sdn Bhd general manager Kamal Amir Kamal Hijjaz as an inducement for Ibrahim to give a recommendation to Kamal Amir for a contract to supply a carpet for Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s headquarters
Source : The Star
Friday, November 25, 2011
Cop gets two years for bribery
A policeman was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and fined RM20,000 by a Sessions Court here for two counts of bribery.
L/Kpl Pazir Ismail, 50, was accused of accepting RM500 from Felda settler Mat Sebon Tomong at Pondok Police Aping Timur in Kota Tinggi at around 11.30am on Sept 5 in 2005.
He was also accused of receiving RM680 from Mat Sebon at the same place at around 3.15pm on Dec 2, 2005.
Pazir received a total RM1,180 from Mat Sebon as an inducement for not taking action against lorries which did not have licences or insurance.
He was charged under Section 11(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000 or whichever is higher.
Sessions judge Madihah Hairullah sentenced Pazir to two years’ jail and imposed a RM10,000 fine for each charge and ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
Malaysi n Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer Ridzuan Abdul Malik prosecuted while the accused was represented by Khairul Aswad.
Meanwhile in a magistrate’s court here, a 22-year-old hawker who stole two packets of Nescafe worth RM31.40 was jailed for a month.
Muhamad Rizuan Ibrahim committed the offence at a mini-market in Bandar Baru Uda here at around 12.30pm on Dec 13 last year.
The accused pleaded guilty to the offence and was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Poh Vun prosecuted while the accused was not represented.
Source : The Star
L/Kpl Pazir Ismail, 50, was accused of accepting RM500 from Felda settler Mat Sebon Tomong at Pondok Police Aping Timur in Kota Tinggi at around 11.30am on Sept 5 in 2005.
He was also accused of receiving RM680 from Mat Sebon at the same place at around 3.15pm on Dec 2, 2005.
Pazir received a total RM1,180 from Mat Sebon as an inducement for not taking action against lorries which did not have licences or insurance.
He was charged under Section 11(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000 or whichever is higher.
Sessions judge Madihah Hairullah sentenced Pazir to two years’ jail and imposed a RM10,000 fine for each charge and ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
Malaysi n Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer Ridzuan Abdul Malik prosecuted while the accused was represented by Khairul Aswad.
Meanwhile in a magistrate’s court here, a 22-year-old hawker who stole two packets of Nescafe worth RM31.40 was jailed for a month.
Muhamad Rizuan Ibrahim committed the offence at a mini-market in Bandar Baru Uda here at around 12.30pm on Dec 13 last year.
The accused pleaded guilty to the offence and was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Poh Vun prosecuted while the accused was not represented.
Source : The Star
Policeman gets 18 months for bribery
A former policeman was jailed 18 months by a Sessions Court for accepting a RM2,000 bribe three years ago.
Konst Abdul Hadi Mohd Noor, 29, was also fined RM10,000 in default three months’ jail for the offence.
Abdul Hadi was charged under Section 11(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 with taking the amount at 8pm on Sept 16, 2008, from retiree Liew Tet Soon, 50, as an inducement for him not to take action against Liew for alle-gedly being involved in illegal gambling.
Sessions judge Sitarun Nisa Abdul Aziz ordered Abdul Hadi to serve his jail sentence from yesterday.
In a separate case, the judge jailed electrician Mohd Indra Sobri Mohd Azizan, 27, and mechanic Fadzlee Ashraf Jamaludin, 26, five years and three strokes of the rotan each for robbing K. Kamacheh, 35, of RM121 in Batu Ferringhi at 12.30pm on March 19, 2009.
They had snatched Kamacheh’s sling bag containing the cash while she was riding her motorcycle. The duo were granted bail of RM20,000 with one surety each when their counsel Hussaini Abdul Rashid applied for a stay of execution pending an appeal of the sentence to the High Court.
Source : The Star
Konst Abdul Hadi Mohd Noor, 29, was also fined RM10,000 in default three months’ jail for the offence.
Abdul Hadi was charged under Section 11(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 with taking the amount at 8pm on Sept 16, 2008, from retiree Liew Tet Soon, 50, as an inducement for him not to take action against Liew for alle-gedly being involved in illegal gambling.
Sessions judge Sitarun Nisa Abdul Aziz ordered Abdul Hadi to serve his jail sentence from yesterday.
In a separate case, the judge jailed electrician Mohd Indra Sobri Mohd Azizan, 27, and mechanic Fadzlee Ashraf Jamaludin, 26, five years and three strokes of the rotan each for robbing K. Kamacheh, 35, of RM121 in Batu Ferringhi at 12.30pm on March 19, 2009.
They had snatched Kamacheh’s sling bag containing the cash while she was riding her motorcycle. The duo were granted bail of RM20,000 with one surety each when their counsel Hussaini Abdul Rashid applied for a stay of execution pending an appeal of the sentence to the High Court.
Source : The Star
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Ex-Sime Darby senior GM ordered to enter defence against bribery charges
A former senior general manager of Sime Darby Engineering Sdn Bhd in Pasir Gudang, Johor, was ordered by a Sessions Court here Wednesday to enter his defence over five counts of accepting bribes amounting to RM181,880.
Judge Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain came to the decision after the prosecution managed to establish a prima facie case against Md Zaki Othman, 49.
In his judgement, Ahmad Zamzani said the prosecution had adduced sufficient evidence against the accused through witnesses and documents tendered in court.
He then set three days for the accused to enter his defense, starting Jan 11, 2012.
On the first count, Md Zaki allegedly accepted RM33,600 in cash from a contractor, as payment for a set of furniture in his house in Taman Austin Perdana about 10am on Dec 14, 2007.
The bribe was claimed to be an inducement to secure a Letter of Intent dated Jan 11, 2008 for an oil and gas project worth RM23,901,959.
He was charged under the Anti-Corruption Act of 1997 (ACA 1997) which provides for a maximum 20-year imprisonment and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
On the second count, Md Zaki allegedly accepted a Rolex watch worth RM21,700 also from the same contractor, at the same address about 9pm on March 10, 2009.
It was apparently to approve and hasten progress payment claims for a Sime Darby Engineering Sdn Bhd, Pasir Gudang, contract and sub-contract.
The charge was brought under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (MACC Act) which carries a maximum 20-year imprisonment and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000 whichever is higher, upon conviction.
As for the third and fourth count, Md Zaki was charged under the MACC Act with asking for and accepting two designer watches worth RM32,980 and RM60,000 during March and May 2009 respectively, as inducement to secure a Letter of Intent for the same contractor and approve and hasten progress payment claims for a contract and sub-contract carried out by the contractor's company.
Upon conviction of each count, the accused faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
On the last count, Md Zaki was charged with asking for RM33,600 from the shame contractor for a set of furniture on Nov 28 2007.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi presented 26 witnesses throughout his case and Md Zaki was represented by T. Vijayasandran. - Bernama
Source : The Star
Pelated News : Ex-manager in bribery case granted discharge
Judge Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain came to the decision after the prosecution managed to establish a prima facie case against Md Zaki Othman, 49.
In his judgement, Ahmad Zamzani said the prosecution had adduced sufficient evidence against the accused through witnesses and documents tendered in court.
He then set three days for the accused to enter his defense, starting Jan 11, 2012.
On the first count, Md Zaki allegedly accepted RM33,600 in cash from a contractor, as payment for a set of furniture in his house in Taman Austin Perdana about 10am on Dec 14, 2007.
The bribe was claimed to be an inducement to secure a Letter of Intent dated Jan 11, 2008 for an oil and gas project worth RM23,901,959.
He was charged under the Anti-Corruption Act of 1997 (ACA 1997) which provides for a maximum 20-year imprisonment and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
On the second count, Md Zaki allegedly accepted a Rolex watch worth RM21,700 also from the same contractor, at the same address about 9pm on March 10, 2009.
It was apparently to approve and hasten progress payment claims for a Sime Darby Engineering Sdn Bhd, Pasir Gudang, contract and sub-contract.
The charge was brought under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (MACC Act) which carries a maximum 20-year imprisonment and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000 whichever is higher, upon conviction.
As for the third and fourth count, Md Zaki was charged under the MACC Act with asking for and accepting two designer watches worth RM32,980 and RM60,000 during March and May 2009 respectively, as inducement to secure a Letter of Intent for the same contractor and approve and hasten progress payment claims for a contract and sub-contract carried out by the contractor's company.
Upon conviction of each count, the accused faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
On the last count, Md Zaki was charged with asking for RM33,600 from the shame contractor for a set of furniture on Nov 28 2007.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi presented 26 witnesses throughout his case and Md Zaki was represented by T. Vijayasandran. - Bernama
Source : The Star
Pelated News : Ex-manager in bribery case granted discharge
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Manager guilty of bribing officer
A furniture factory manager was jailed a day and fined RM20,000 or six months in jail, after he pleaded guilty to bribing a Tenaga Nasional Bhd senior manager of RM4,000 in May.
Sessions court judge Rosbiahanin Ariffin sentenced Tan Boon Hin, 57, after he pleaded guilty to the charge last month.
Tan was charged with offering the bribe to Rumaizi Mohd Amin from the TNB’s investigation division as an incentive to not take action against him over an electricity-related offence.
He committed the offence at Starbucks in Bangsar Village here at about 10.45am on May 25.
The offence is chargeable under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
In a separate case, a marketing manager claimed trial to bribing Rumaizi with RM25,000 as an incentive to not take action over an electricity-related offence at the Piau Kee Live and Frozen Seafoods Sdn Bhd premises in Kg Cheras Baru.
Cheah Peck Hiong, 39, was charged with committing the offence under Section 17(b) of the MACC Act, at a restaurant in Bangsar Shopping Centre at 5.40pm on May 24. It carries a 20-year jail term and fine five times the bribery amount, if convicted.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Sophian Zakaria prosecuted while lawyer R. Babu represented Cheah, who was granted a RM10,000 bail.
The court fixed Dec 21 for mention.
Source : The Star
Sessions court judge Rosbiahanin Ariffin sentenced Tan Boon Hin, 57, after he pleaded guilty to the charge last month.
Tan was charged with offering the bribe to Rumaizi Mohd Amin from the TNB’s investigation division as an incentive to not take action against him over an electricity-related offence.
He committed the offence at Starbucks in Bangsar Village here at about 10.45am on May 25.
The offence is chargeable under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
In a separate case, a marketing manager claimed trial to bribing Rumaizi with RM25,000 as an incentive to not take action over an electricity-related offence at the Piau Kee Live and Frozen Seafoods Sdn Bhd premises in Kg Cheras Baru.
Cheah Peck Hiong, 39, was charged with committing the offence under Section 17(b) of the MACC Act, at a restaurant in Bangsar Shopping Centre at 5.40pm on May 24. It carries a 20-year jail term and fine five times the bribery amount, if convicted.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Sophian Zakaria prosecuted while lawyer R. Babu represented Cheah, who was granted a RM10,000 bail.
The court fixed Dec 21 for mention.
Source : The Star
Monday, November 21, 2011
RTD aims to achieve zero corruption
THE state Road Transport Department has become the first enforcement agency in Perak to sign a memorandum with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to combat graft.
Department director Jaafar Mohamed said the department had set its sights on achieving zero corruption among its officers.
“We want officers with good integrity and I want them to understand and advocate the memorandum’s objectives,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony for the memorandum in Ipoh.
Taking measures to stop graft: Jaafar (right) and state MACC deputy director (operations) Shaharom Nizam Abd Manap signing on the memorandum to fight corruption.
“We will not hesitate to take action against our personnel who take bribes and people who offer bribes to our men,” he said.
He said the department would work hand-in-hand with MACC to detect any corruption.
“We will ensure all information on graft cases involving our officers is channelled to the MACC,” he added.
Jaafar said the department had its own Integrity Committee to inspect and investigate claims of corruption.
“The committee will either take disciplinary action against the wrongdoers or hand the matter over to MACC,” he said.
He added that the Government had implemented the Witness Protection Act and Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 to support ongoing efforts to weed out bribe givers and takers. — By IVAN LOH
Source : The Star
Department director Jaafar Mohamed said the department had set its sights on achieving zero corruption among its officers.
“We want officers with good integrity and I want them to understand and advocate the memorandum’s objectives,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony for the memorandum in Ipoh.
Taking measures to stop graft: Jaafar (right) and state MACC deputy director (operations) Shaharom Nizam Abd Manap signing on the memorandum to fight corruption.“We will not hesitate to take action against our personnel who take bribes and people who offer bribes to our men,” he said.
He said the department would work hand-in-hand with MACC to detect any corruption.
“We will ensure all information on graft cases involving our officers is channelled to the MACC,” he added.
Jaafar said the department had its own Integrity Committee to inspect and investigate claims of corruption.
“The committee will either take disciplinary action against the wrongdoers or hand the matter over to MACC,” he said.
He added that the Government had implemented the Witness Protection Act and Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 to support ongoing efforts to weed out bribe givers and takers. — By IVAN LOH
Source : The Star
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Prosecution closes case in Dr Ling’s trial over PKFZ
The High Court set Dec 12 and 13 to hear submissions after the prosecution closed its case Thursday in the trial of former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) case.
The prosecution offered 113 witnesses to the defence, among them two former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and several Cabinet ministers.
Defence lawyer Wong Kian Kheong told the court that he intended to call Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as a witness in the event Dr Ling is called to make his defence because the prime minister had chaired a Cabinet meeting in 2007 in place of Abdullah when he (Najib) was the deputy prime minister.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah said the defence would have to make an application to call Najib as a witness and it was up to the prime minister to decide whether to turn up as a witness.
The prosecution closed its case today after having called 25 witnesses, among them several former ministers, investigating officers, former senior officers of the transport ministry and former Port Klang Authority general manager O.C. Phang.
The case, before Judge Datuk Ahmadi Asnawi, began on Aug 1 and involved 173 exhibits.
Dr Ling was first charged on July 29 last year in the Putrajaya Sessions Court and was allowed bail of RM1mil after he pleaded not guilty.
Wong then applied to the court to have the case transferred to the High Court, arguing that it was a high profile case.
Dr Ling, 68, is charged with cheating the government by not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5percent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.
He also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally omitting from the Cabinet that the 7.5percent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.
The offences were allegedly committed at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
The trial of Phang on three counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM254.85mil was postponed until after the disposal of Dr Ling's trial.
During the trial, Dr Ling was seen in the company of his wife, Toh Puan Ena Ling, and their two sons, Hee Leong and Hee Kiat. - Bernama
Source : The Star
Related News : Nor Mohamed changes testimony over support letter
The prosecution offered 113 witnesses to the defence, among them two former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and several Cabinet ministers.
Defence lawyer Wong Kian Kheong told the court that he intended to call Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as a witness in the event Dr Ling is called to make his defence because the prime minister had chaired a Cabinet meeting in 2007 in place of Abdullah when he (Najib) was the deputy prime minister.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah said the defence would have to make an application to call Najib as a witness and it was up to the prime minister to decide whether to turn up as a witness.
The prosecution closed its case today after having called 25 witnesses, among them several former ministers, investigating officers, former senior officers of the transport ministry and former Port Klang Authority general manager O.C. Phang.
The case, before Judge Datuk Ahmadi Asnawi, began on Aug 1 and involved 173 exhibits.
Dr Ling was first charged on July 29 last year in the Putrajaya Sessions Court and was allowed bail of RM1mil after he pleaded not guilty.
Wong then applied to the court to have the case transferred to the High Court, arguing that it was a high profile case.
Dr Ling, 68, is charged with cheating the government by not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5percent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.
He also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally omitting from the Cabinet that the 7.5percent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.
The offences were allegedly committed at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
The trial of Phang on three counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM254.85mil was postponed until after the disposal of Dr Ling's trial.
During the trial, Dr Ling was seen in the company of his wife, Toh Puan Ena Ling, and their two sons, Hee Leong and Hee Kiat. - Bernama
Source : The Star
Related News : Nor Mohamed changes testimony over support letter
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Nor Mohamed changes testimony over support letter
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop has changed his testimony in the High Court over the issue of a “letter of support” by former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik by agreeing with the defence that it was not a guarantee letter.
Nor Mohamed, who was former Finance Minister II, agreed that Ling’s letter of support (for bonds issued by Special Port Vehicle Bhd (SPVB)) could no longer be interpreted as a letter of guarantee in light of Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s testimony at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquiry into the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project on Aug 12, 2009.
He said this during his cross-examination by Dr Ling’s counsel Wong Kian Kheong yesterday.
In the PAC report, Abdul Gani had given his legal opinion that Ling’s letter, dated May 28, 2003, did not amount to a guarantee letter as “it did not give any assurance that the Government would ensure that the Port Klang Authority (PKA) would fulfil the repayment amount, which is the balance consideration price including a 7.5% annual interest”.
Referring to the extracts of Cabinet minutes dated June 27, 2007, Nor Mohamed agreed with the defence that the meeting had considered the land purchase issue closed because it had received Cabinet approval in 2002, and what it was concerned with was how costs which had not yet received approval would be handled.
Later, during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Tun Abd Majid Hamzah, Nor Mohamed said the Finance Ministry had taken the letter of support to mean a guarantee letter as the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC) had given the bonds an AAA rating, thinking that the letter was a government guarantee.
“So we thought the letter had elements of being a guarantee,” he said.
The issue of the guarantee letter came up last week after witness Mohd Izzuddin Yusof, who was formerly with MARC, testified that the letter of support from Dr Ling had been instrumental in securing the top-tier rating for the bonds.
On Monday, Nor Mohamed had stressed that only the Finance Ministry could issue a letter of support with the Cabinet’s approval.
Dr Ling has claimed trial to an amended principal charge of deceiving the Government by not exposing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5% annually in the land purchase for the PKFZ project.
He faces two optional charges of cheating the Government by not revealing to the Cabinet facts pertaining to the interest rate, and deceiving it into believing that facts on the land bought at RM25 psf and 7.5% interest were certified and agreed to by the Valuation and Property Services Department when he knew there was no such consent.
Dr Ling is said to have committed the offences at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
Source : The Star
Related News : Retrospective approval for PKFZ land purchase due to rise in costs, says minister
Nor Mohamed, who was former Finance Minister II, agreed that Ling’s letter of support (for bonds issued by Special Port Vehicle Bhd (SPVB)) could no longer be interpreted as a letter of guarantee in light of Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s testimony at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquiry into the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project on Aug 12, 2009.
He said this during his cross-examination by Dr Ling’s counsel Wong Kian Kheong yesterday.
In the PAC report, Abdul Gani had given his legal opinion that Ling’s letter, dated May 28, 2003, did not amount to a guarantee letter as “it did not give any assurance that the Government would ensure that the Port Klang Authority (PKA) would fulfil the repayment amount, which is the balance consideration price including a 7.5% annual interest”.
Referring to the extracts of Cabinet minutes dated June 27, 2007, Nor Mohamed agreed with the defence that the meeting had considered the land purchase issue closed because it had received Cabinet approval in 2002, and what it was concerned with was how costs which had not yet received approval would be handled.
Later, during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Tun Abd Majid Hamzah, Nor Mohamed said the Finance Ministry had taken the letter of support to mean a guarantee letter as the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC) had given the bonds an AAA rating, thinking that the letter was a government guarantee.
“So we thought the letter had elements of being a guarantee,” he said.
The issue of the guarantee letter came up last week after witness Mohd Izzuddin Yusof, who was formerly with MARC, testified that the letter of support from Dr Ling had been instrumental in securing the top-tier rating for the bonds.
On Monday, Nor Mohamed had stressed that only the Finance Ministry could issue a letter of support with the Cabinet’s approval.
Dr Ling has claimed trial to an amended principal charge of deceiving the Government by not exposing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5% annually in the land purchase for the PKFZ project.
He faces two optional charges of cheating the Government by not revealing to the Cabinet facts pertaining to the interest rate, and deceiving it into believing that facts on the land bought at RM25 psf and 7.5% interest were certified and agreed to by the Valuation and Property Services Department when he knew there was no such consent.
Dr Ling is said to have committed the offences at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
Source : The Star
Related News : Retrospective approval for PKFZ land purchase due to rise in costs, says minister
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Retrospective approval for PKFZ land purchase due to rise in costs, says minister
The Cabinet made a retrospective approval for RM4.6bil from RM1.088bil due to the increase in development costs for the purchase of land for Port Klang Free Zone Project (PKFZ), the High Court heard.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who testified at Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s trial yesterday, said there was no amendment or revocation of the purchase in the 2007 Cabinet retrospective approval.
He also said some ministers had reservations over the project but admitted that he did not have any record of the disagreements. The decision to purchase PKFZ in 2002, he said, was a “collective Cabinet decision”.
Dr Ling, 68, has claimed trial to cheating the Government in relation to the PKFZ project.
The former transport minister also claimed trial to an alternative charge for similar cheating, which carries a lesser penalty.
Dr Ling is alleged to have deceived the Cabinet into giving its consent over the purchase in Pulau Indah according to the agreed terms between the Port Klang Authority and Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, the turnkey contractor for the PKFZ project.
He is also accused of hiding facts and to have cheated when he was aware that the project could cause losses to the Government, which he was bound by a legal contract to protect.
He is accused of committing the offence at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
Earlier, Nazri agreed to a suggestion by Dr Ling’s lead counsel Wong Kian Kheong that the Cabinet gave its approval in 2002, although it was informed that the earlier amount of RM1.088bil did not include interests.
Nazri also agreed to all relevant minutes of Cabinet meetings on the question of whether the PKFZ land could be purchased or acquired.
He agreed that the prime minister had the power to bring any matters for discussion during the Cabinet meeting although it was outside its agenda.
To a question, Nazri said he was aware that the Cabinet had made a decision on matters upon getting a motion by a prime minister without any memorandum.
He agreed that the Cabinet had the right to make any decision without a memorandum.
He also agreed to Wong that among the reasons which caused the Cabinet to expedite the decision over that purchase of land was to make Port Klang the best port for the interest of the country, to face competition from two ports in Indonesia and Thailand and a study which showed that the project was viable economically.
Questioned by lead prosecutor Datuk Tun Abd Majid Tun Hamzah, Nazri said he had no doubts over the content of the minutes of meeting on the land for the project.
Meanwhile, former finance minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop testified that he prepared a memorandum on June 22, 2007 over the purchase of the land.
Replying to Tun Abd Majid, he said he prepared it as the Cabinet had approved RM1.088bil for the purchase of the land, but the actual cost was RM4.6bil.
Therefore, said Nor Mohamed, who is now a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, the Finance Ministry felt an approval from the Cabinet was required.
He said there were also several matters of support issued by the Transport Ministry.
The trial before Justice Ahmadi Asnawi continues today.
Source : The Star
Related News : PKFZ: Nazri tells court some ministers opposed project
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who testified at Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s trial yesterday, said there was no amendment or revocation of the purchase in the 2007 Cabinet retrospective approval.
He also said some ministers had reservations over the project but admitted that he did not have any record of the disagreements. The decision to purchase PKFZ in 2002, he said, was a “collective Cabinet decision”.
Dr Ling, 68, has claimed trial to cheating the Government in relation to the PKFZ project.
The former transport minister also claimed trial to an alternative charge for similar cheating, which carries a lesser penalty.
Dr Ling is alleged to have deceived the Cabinet into giving its consent over the purchase in Pulau Indah according to the agreed terms between the Port Klang Authority and Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, the turnkey contractor for the PKFZ project.
He is also accused of hiding facts and to have cheated when he was aware that the project could cause losses to the Government, which he was bound by a legal contract to protect.
He is accused of committing the offence at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
Earlier, Nazri agreed to a suggestion by Dr Ling’s lead counsel Wong Kian Kheong that the Cabinet gave its approval in 2002, although it was informed that the earlier amount of RM1.088bil did not include interests.
Nazri also agreed to all relevant minutes of Cabinet meetings on the question of whether the PKFZ land could be purchased or acquired.
He agreed that the prime minister had the power to bring any matters for discussion during the Cabinet meeting although it was outside its agenda.
To a question, Nazri said he was aware that the Cabinet had made a decision on matters upon getting a motion by a prime minister without any memorandum.
He agreed that the Cabinet had the right to make any decision without a memorandum.
He also agreed to Wong that among the reasons which caused the Cabinet to expedite the decision over that purchase of land was to make Port Klang the best port for the interest of the country, to face competition from two ports in Indonesia and Thailand and a study which showed that the project was viable economically.
Questioned by lead prosecutor Datuk Tun Abd Majid Tun Hamzah, Nazri said he had no doubts over the content of the minutes of meeting on the land for the project.
Meanwhile, former finance minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop testified that he prepared a memorandum on June 22, 2007 over the purchase of the land.
Replying to Tun Abd Majid, he said he prepared it as the Cabinet had approved RM1.088bil for the purchase of the land, but the actual cost was RM4.6bil.
Therefore, said Nor Mohamed, who is now a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, the Finance Ministry felt an approval from the Cabinet was required.
He said there were also several matters of support issued by the Transport Ministry.
The trial before Justice Ahmadi Asnawi continues today.
Source : The Star
Related News : PKFZ: Nazri tells court some ministers opposed project
Monday, November 14, 2011
PKFZ: Nazri tells court some ministers opposed project
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told the High Court here Monday, that many members of the Cabinet were against the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.
This happened during a meeting in 2002, he said, adding that although there were no notes on it in any document or minutes of the meeting, he could still recall that many ministers opposed the project but, in the end, agreed to it for fear of it becoming a big issue.
"At the meeting, when the matter (PKFZ project) came up, many said that the project might not succeed. At that time, we did not want to interfere because the land price was high. RM1bil was a huge amount then (2002).
"Many knew the land was sold for RM25 per sq foot (psf)," he said when cross-examined by lawyer Wong Kian Kheong, who represented former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is charged with cheating the Malaysian Government.
Nazri, who was then the Entrepreneur Development Minister, said that some ministers felt that something was wrong with the project. Questioned by Wong whether he raised any objection to the Nov 6, 2002 Cabinet decision to purchase the land in Pulau Indah for the PKFZ project, Nazri, who is the 20th prosecution witness, said he brought up the matter, but did not protest.
Dr Ling, 68, is charged with cheating the government by not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5 percent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.
He also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally omitting from the Cabinet that the 7.5 percent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.
The offences were allegedly committed at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
At the early stage of proceeding, Nazri told the court that to his understanding, the PKFZ project cost RM1.088bil, including interest.
He said the cabinet agreed to give a soft loan of RM4.6bil to the Port Klang Authority (PKA) in 2007 to save the PKFZ project.
"Five years earlier (in 2002 before the loan was given in 2007), we (cabinet) did not want the government's money to be involved because they (PKA) promised to use internal funds," he added.
Nazri said that had he known the project involved government funds in 2002, he would have opposed the project implementation.
When re-examined by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, Nazri said that the decision on the PKFZ project was made by the Cabinet and not by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Meanwhile, former Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said that in 2005, the Transport Ministry had requested for financial assistance, but it was not approved. The hearing before Justice Datuk Ahmadi Asnawi continues Tuesday.
Source : The Star
Related News : Kuala Dimensi bonds issuance above board, says banker
This happened during a meeting in 2002, he said, adding that although there were no notes on it in any document or minutes of the meeting, he could still recall that many ministers opposed the project but, in the end, agreed to it for fear of it becoming a big issue.
"At the meeting, when the matter (PKFZ project) came up, many said that the project might not succeed. At that time, we did not want to interfere because the land price was high. RM1bil was a huge amount then (2002).
"Many knew the land was sold for RM25 per sq foot (psf)," he said when cross-examined by lawyer Wong Kian Kheong, who represented former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is charged with cheating the Malaysian Government.
Nazri, who was then the Entrepreneur Development Minister, said that some ministers felt that something was wrong with the project. Questioned by Wong whether he raised any objection to the Nov 6, 2002 Cabinet decision to purchase the land in Pulau Indah for the PKFZ project, Nazri, who is the 20th prosecution witness, said he brought up the matter, but did not protest.
Dr Ling, 68, is charged with cheating the government by not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5 percent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.
He also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally omitting from the Cabinet that the 7.5 percent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.
The offences were allegedly committed at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
At the early stage of proceeding, Nazri told the court that to his understanding, the PKFZ project cost RM1.088bil, including interest.
He said the cabinet agreed to give a soft loan of RM4.6bil to the Port Klang Authority (PKA) in 2007 to save the PKFZ project.
"Five years earlier (in 2002 before the loan was given in 2007), we (cabinet) did not want the government's money to be involved because they (PKA) promised to use internal funds," he added.
Nazri said that had he known the project involved government funds in 2002, he would have opposed the project implementation.
When re-examined by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, Nazri said that the decision on the PKFZ project was made by the Cabinet and not by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Meanwhile, former Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said that in 2005, the Transport Ministry had requested for financial assistance, but it was not approved. The hearing before Justice Datuk Ahmadi Asnawi continues Tuesday.
Source : The Star
Related News : Kuala Dimensi bonds issuance above board, says banker
Friday, November 11, 2011
Kuala Dimensi bonds issuance above board, says banker
Bonds issued by Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) through Special Port Vehicle Bhd (SPVB) had met all the legal requirements, and received the approval of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), the High Court was told.
Testifying in the trial of former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is facing charges over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue, former Malaysian International Merchant Bankers Bhd (MIMB) senior vice-president Ismadi Isenin agreed that the MIMB had found the bonds “commercially viable”.
Cross-examined by Dr Ling’s counsel Wong Kian Kheong, Ismadi also agreed that the SC had not pursued any case against SPVB for breaching any rules in their bond issuance, and that the trustees of the bonds also did not have any complaints on the matter.
MIMB, who is the primary subscriber of the bonds, bought the bonds at RM1.31bil, and then sold them to 17 secondary subscribers at RM1.35bil, making a profit of RM40mil.
MIMB was also the lead arranger and facility agent of the bonds.
Earlier, Mohd Izzuddin Yusof, formerly with the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC), testified during his examination-in-chief by DPP Adilla Ahmad that a letter of support from Dr Ling had helped secure a top-tier rating for the bonds raised.
“In my opinion, without the letter of support, it is possible that the rating given by MARC would be lower than AAA because the letter had a high weightage in determining the bond rating,” he said.
The bonds were issued to raise funds for the purchase of the 404.5ha land in Pulau Indah land, meant for the PKFZ project.
Dr Ling has claimed trial to an amended principal charge of deceiving the Government by not exposing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5% annually in the land purchase for the PKFZ project.
He faces two optional charges of cheating the Government by not revealing to the Cabinet facts pertaining to the interest rate, and deceiving it into believing that facts on the land bought at RM25 psf and 7.5% interest were certified and agreed to by the Valuation and Property Services Department when he knew there was no such consent.
Dr Ling is said to have committed the offences at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
The hearing before Justice Ahmadi Asnawi continues on Monday.
Source : The Star
Related News : PKFZ: Chan claims trial to three amended charges
Testifying in the trial of former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is facing charges over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue, former Malaysian International Merchant Bankers Bhd (MIMB) senior vice-president Ismadi Isenin agreed that the MIMB had found the bonds “commercially viable”.
Cross-examined by Dr Ling’s counsel Wong Kian Kheong, Ismadi also agreed that the SC had not pursued any case against SPVB for breaching any rules in their bond issuance, and that the trustees of the bonds also did not have any complaints on the matter.
MIMB, who is the primary subscriber of the bonds, bought the bonds at RM1.31bil, and then sold them to 17 secondary subscribers at RM1.35bil, making a profit of RM40mil.
MIMB was also the lead arranger and facility agent of the bonds.
Earlier, Mohd Izzuddin Yusof, formerly with the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC), testified during his examination-in-chief by DPP Adilla Ahmad that a letter of support from Dr Ling had helped secure a top-tier rating for the bonds raised.
“In my opinion, without the letter of support, it is possible that the rating given by MARC would be lower than AAA because the letter had a high weightage in determining the bond rating,” he said.
The bonds were issued to raise funds for the purchase of the 404.5ha land in Pulau Indah land, meant for the PKFZ project.
Dr Ling has claimed trial to an amended principal charge of deceiving the Government by not exposing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5% annually in the land purchase for the PKFZ project.
He faces two optional charges of cheating the Government by not revealing to the Cabinet facts pertaining to the interest rate, and deceiving it into believing that facts on the land bought at RM25 psf and 7.5% interest were certified and agreed to by the Valuation and Property Services Department when he knew there was no such consent.
Dr Ling is said to have committed the offences at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.
The hearing before Justice Ahmadi Asnawi continues on Monday.
Source : The Star
Related News : PKFZ: Chan claims trial to three amended charges
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Two cops charged with bribery
Two policemen claimed trial in a magistrate’s court here with asking for and receiving an RM800 bribe from two men.
Konst Shaiful Azmi Zakaria, 32, and Konst Mohamad Izranazezi Ismail, 23, are jointly charged with asking for the bribe from Seng Thean Sun as an inducement not to take action against him for driving a modified car.
They are alleged to have committed the offence at about 10.30am in Jalan Kampung Jawa Baru on Jan 10.
The offence under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 is punishable under Section 24 with a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
They are also charged with receiving an RM800 bribe from Mohd Khairi Haron at 1.40pm on the same day in Jelutong as an inducement not to take action against Seng.
The charge under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 is also punishable under Section 24.
Magistrate Siti Salwa Ja’afar set bail at RM5,000 each with one surety and fixed Dec 16 for mention.
Source : The Star
Konst Shaiful Azmi Zakaria, 32, and Konst Mohamad Izranazezi Ismail, 23, are jointly charged with asking for the bribe from Seng Thean Sun as an inducement not to take action against him for driving a modified car.
They are alleged to have committed the offence at about 10.30am in Jalan Kampung Jawa Baru on Jan 10.
The offence under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 is punishable under Section 24 with a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
They are also charged with receiving an RM800 bribe from Mohd Khairi Haron at 1.40pm on the same day in Jelutong as an inducement not to take action against Seng.
The charge under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 is also punishable under Section 24.
Magistrate Siti Salwa Ja’afar set bail at RM5,000 each with one surety and fixed Dec 16 for mention.
Source : The Star
Friday, November 4, 2011
PKFZ: Chan claims trial to three amended charges
Former Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy claimed trial at the KL High Court on Friday to three amended cheating charges in relation to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
Under the amended charges, Chan is accused of deceiving former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi into approving Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd as the turnkey developer to carry out the transshipment hub, with his support as the then Transport Minister.
He is accused of hiding the fact that the development cost would be financed through a bond by Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd via Transshipment Megahub Bhd.
He is said to have committed the offence at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya between Feb 24, 2004 and March 29, 2006.
High Court judge Justice Zamani Abdul Rahim set trial from April 2 next year.
Source : The Star
Related News : Govt fails in bid to seize assets in case related to PKFZ scandal
Under the amended charges, Chan is accused of deceiving former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi into approving Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd as the turnkey developer to carry out the transshipment hub, with his support as the then Transport Minister.
He is accused of hiding the fact that the development cost would be financed through a bond by Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd via Transshipment Megahub Bhd.
He is said to have committed the offence at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya between Feb 24, 2004 and March 29, 2006.
High Court judge Justice Zamani Abdul Rahim set trial from April 2 next year.
Source : The Star
Related News : Govt fails in bid to seize assets in case related to PKFZ scandal
Govt fails in bid to seize assets in case related to PKFZ scandal
The High Court here has dismissed an application filed by the Government to seize assets totalling more than RM37mil in cash and cheques, and four pieces of land, belonging to seven companies and two individuals, including Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, in a case related to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
High Court judge Justice Datuk Ghazali Cha ruled that the applicant had failed to prove the assets were obtained from unlawful activities under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.
He said that as such, he was rejecting the application to seize under Section 56 of the same Act and ordered the assets to be returned to the seven companies and two individuals.
Ghazali also dismissed an application of the federal counsel to defer his decision.
On Nov 23 last year, the government had applied for property belonging to Tiong and Law Ka Hing as well as Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), Transshipment Megahub Berhad, Coastal Skyline Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Baru Aviation Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Baru Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Baru Construction Sdn Bhd and the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) to be sealed and forfeited.
Source : The Star
Related News : Effendi: No report lodged against Ling by ministers
High Court judge Justice Datuk Ghazali Cha ruled that the applicant had failed to prove the assets were obtained from unlawful activities under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.
He said that as such, he was rejecting the application to seize under Section 56 of the same Act and ordered the assets to be returned to the seven companies and two individuals.
Ghazali also dismissed an application of the federal counsel to defer his decision.
On Nov 23 last year, the government had applied for property belonging to Tiong and Law Ka Hing as well as Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), Transshipment Megahub Berhad, Coastal Skyline Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Baru Aviation Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Baru Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Baru Construction Sdn Bhd and the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) to be sealed and forfeited.
Source : The Star
Related News : Effendi: No report lodged against Ling by ministers
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Lorry driver held for trying to bribe cop
Police have apprehended a lorry driver for trying to bribe a traffic policeman at a roadblock near Batu Kawah on Tuesday.
The driver, a 33-year-old man from Taman Mei Mei Stakan, was ferrying diesel when he was stopped at the roadblock.
The policeman checked his permit and found that it had expired on Nov 28, 2008.
The driver tried to buy his way out by offering RM100 to the policeman, who insisted on issuing a summons.
It is believed that the driver kept asking the policeman to keep the money and let him go and this led to his detention.
The driver will be referred to the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commi–ssion for further action.
Source : The Star
The driver, a 33-year-old man from Taman Mei Mei Stakan, was ferrying diesel when he was stopped at the roadblock.
The policeman checked his permit and found that it had expired on Nov 28, 2008.
The driver tried to buy his way out by offering RM100 to the policeman, who insisted on issuing a summons.
It is believed that the driver kept asking the policeman to keep the money and let him go and this led to his detention.
The driver will be referred to the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commi–ssion for further action.
Source : The Star
Malaysia improves significantly in global bribe survey
Though Malaysian companies performed below the global average in the Bribe Payers Index (BPI) released by Transparency International Malaysia (TI), it has improved significantly from the last time it was rated in 2006.
Malaysia scored 7.6 out of 10, below the 7.8 average global score measuring the likelihood of companies giving bribes in overseas deals.
Malaysia scored 5.6 out of 10 the last time.
The survey, conducted from May 5 to July 8, measured countries whose companies were more likely to give bribes closer to zero points while those that were less inclined to giving bribes scored closer to 10.
TI president Datuk Paul Low said Malaysia’s score had improved significantly from the last time it was rated but stressed that the current score indicated that more needed to be done.
“Malaysia seems to hover just over or below the average every time. It just shows that there is still room to improve,” he said when launching the BPI yesterday.
Low said the sectors worst affected by corruption were construction, forestry and defence procurements while the worst sectors globally were oil and gas, manufacturing and public works, contracts and construction.
He acknowledged that local companies had made a move to fight graft but pointed out that this needed Government support in formulating strict laws.
The BPI findings are expected to be tabled at a roundtable integrity meeting scheduled for next month between the nation’s various business players and enforcement authorities.
Source : The Star
Malaysia scored 7.6 out of 10, below the 7.8 average global score measuring the likelihood of companies giving bribes in overseas deals.
Malaysia scored 5.6 out of 10 the last time.
The survey, conducted from May 5 to July 8, measured countries whose companies were more likely to give bribes closer to zero points while those that were less inclined to giving bribes scored closer to 10.
TI president Datuk Paul Low said Malaysia’s score had improved significantly from the last time it was rated but stressed that the current score indicated that more needed to be done.
“Malaysia seems to hover just over or below the average every time. It just shows that there is still room to improve,” he said when launching the BPI yesterday.
Low said the sectors worst affected by corruption were construction, forestry and defence procurements while the worst sectors globally were oil and gas, manufacturing and public works, contracts and construction.
He acknowledged that local companies had made a move to fight graft but pointed out that this needed Government support in formulating strict laws.
The BPI findings are expected to be tabled at a roundtable integrity meeting scheduled for next month between the nation’s various business players and enforcement authorities.
Source : The Star
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Politician, single mum freed over RM50,000 bribe for "Datuk" award
The Sessions Court acquitted and discharged a single mother and a politician over a RM50,000 bribe for a "Datuk" award.
Judge Rosbiahanin Ariffin freed Nor Azimah Jamaludin, 31, and Rantau Panjang PKR chief Mohammad Agos Mohd Noor, 52, without calling for their defence.
Nor Azimah had been charged under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act with accepting the bribe in the form of a cheque dated Dec 7, 2010, from one Izuldin Hani Mohd Noor at a restaurant in Taman Melati here on Dec 8 last year.
On an alternative charge, Nor Azimah had been charged with deceiving Izuldin Hani into believing that she could obtain the award, from the Persatuan Kerabat Diraja Duli Yang Maha Mulia Long Yunus Negeri Kelantan, when it was contrary to the Kelantan constitution.
Mohammad Agos had been charged with abetting Nor Azimah in the alleged crime. On an alternative charge, he had been charged with abetting Nor Azimah by deceiving Izuldin Hani into believing that Nor Azimah could obtain the award when it was actually contrary to the Kelantan constitution.
Twenty-two witnesses testified at the trial. BERNAMA
Source : The Star
Judge Rosbiahanin Ariffin freed Nor Azimah Jamaludin, 31, and Rantau Panjang PKR chief Mohammad Agos Mohd Noor, 52, without calling for their defence.
Nor Azimah had been charged under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act with accepting the bribe in the form of a cheque dated Dec 7, 2010, from one Izuldin Hani Mohd Noor at a restaurant in Taman Melati here on Dec 8 last year.
On an alternative charge, Nor Azimah had been charged with deceiving Izuldin Hani into believing that she could obtain the award, from the Persatuan Kerabat Diraja Duli Yang Maha Mulia Long Yunus Negeri Kelantan, when it was contrary to the Kelantan constitution.
Mohammad Agos had been charged with abetting Nor Azimah in the alleged crime. On an alternative charge, he had been charged with abetting Nor Azimah by deceiving Izuldin Hani into believing that Nor Azimah could obtain the award when it was actually contrary to the Kelantan constitution.
Twenty-two witnesses testified at the trial. BERNAMA
Source : The Star
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Value on Khir’s property was unreasonable, witness tells court
The High Court here was told that the RM6.5mil price tag on former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo’s property was unreasonable.
Property valuer Iramy Ahmad, 48, testified that the figure was “too high” for the two plots of land and a bungalow.
The witness, who was examined by defence lawyer Datuk Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, said his firm Irhamy & Co had used the comparison method in evaluating the properties in 2005 and came up with a RM4.3mil figure.
He said he had visited the house just after its completion and that the bungalow was already occupied at that time.
Iramy is the fourth defence witness testifying in the trial of 45-year-old Dr Khir, who is charged with knowingly purchasing two pieces of land and a bungalow in Section 7 here at a much lower price than its actual value from Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Hayroni in 2007.
The property was bought at RM3.5mil although Ditamas had bought it for RM6.5mil on Dec 23, 2004.
Dr Khir had allegedly committed the offence at the Selangor Mentri Besar’s official residence on May 29, 2007.
Cross-examined by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, Iramy agreed that similar properties must be used as variables when evaluating using the comparison method.
Mohd Dusuki: But there is no definition of “similar properties”?
Iramy: Agreed.
Mohd Dusuki: But logically, similar properties would be something “as close as possible” (to Dr Khir’s properties) in terms of locality and the property itself?
Iramy: Yes.
The witness disagreed when it was suggested that the comparables used in his valuation was not “as close as possible”.
Iramy added that there were instances where valuers used their own judgment to determine market value as the Valuation and Property Services Department used to be late in relaying data to use as comparables.
“Back then, if the data was meant for December, it would only be processed five months later. This is where you need to use your own judgment for market value. But now, the process is much faster,” he said.
The hearing continues today.
Source : The Star
Related News : RM6.5mil price for Khir Toyo’s house is too high: Valuer
Property valuer Iramy Ahmad, 48, testified that the figure was “too high” for the two plots of land and a bungalow.
The witness, who was examined by defence lawyer Datuk Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, said his firm Irhamy & Co had used the comparison method in evaluating the properties in 2005 and came up with a RM4.3mil figure.
He said he had visited the house just after its completion and that the bungalow was already occupied at that time.
Iramy is the fourth defence witness testifying in the trial of 45-year-old Dr Khir, who is charged with knowingly purchasing two pieces of land and a bungalow in Section 7 here at a much lower price than its actual value from Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Hayroni in 2007.
The property was bought at RM3.5mil although Ditamas had bought it for RM6.5mil on Dec 23, 2004.
Dr Khir had allegedly committed the offence at the Selangor Mentri Besar’s official residence on May 29, 2007.
Cross-examined by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, Iramy agreed that similar properties must be used as variables when evaluating using the comparison method.
Mohd Dusuki: But there is no definition of “similar properties”?
Iramy: Agreed.
Mohd Dusuki: But logically, similar properties would be something “as close as possible” (to Dr Khir’s properties) in terms of locality and the property itself?
Iramy: Yes.
The witness disagreed when it was suggested that the comparables used in his valuation was not “as close as possible”.
Iramy added that there were instances where valuers used their own judgment to determine market value as the Valuation and Property Services Department used to be late in relaying data to use as comparables.
“Back then, if the data was meant for December, it would only be processed five months later. This is where you need to use your own judgment for market value. But now, the process is much faster,” he said.
The hearing continues today.
Source : The Star
Related News : RM6.5mil price for Khir Toyo’s house is too high: Valuer
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